Marin busy with Memorial Day remembrances, events

A myriad activities will mark the Memorial Day holiday weekend in Marin, when the country remembers those who went into battle and did not come home.

There will be several Memorial Day commemorations for the fallen, the largest planned for the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael.

There also will be a variety of lighter events, including a Greek food festival in Novato, Larkspur's Flower and Food Festival, the Caldeonia Street Festival in Sausalito and more.

Weekend weather is expected to be in the low 70s, with come clouds and breezes along the way.

The California Automobile Association's travel survey projects that more than 4 million Californians plan on traveling 50 miles or more this Memorial Day holiday weekend. That represents a slight decrease of 2.1 percent from last year.

Here's a rundown of some of what will be going on in Marin County:

 On Monday, San Rafael native Jarred Burr, a retired U.S. Marine, will serve as keynote speaker for Marin County's annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags. The free event begins with music at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

After the indoor ceremony, Marin's El Marinero Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be among the groups laying a wreath at the Avenue of the Flags memorial site.

 In Novato, American Legion Post 540 will host a program starting at 8 a.m. Monday with Boy Scouts planting flags at Valley Memorial Park at 650 Bugeia Lane. A 45-minute service will begin at 9 a.m. For information, call 884-2133.

 The National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard will hold a ceremony at 2 p.m. Monday at the historic G Ranch cemetery honoring the sacrifice of the U.S. Life Saving Service who gave their lives along the shores of Point Reyes. The cemetery is on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, about a 15-minute drive past the town of Inverness. There will be an open

house at the Point Reyes Lifeboat Station at Chimney Rock from 4 to 5 p.m.

 The annual Memorial Day parade will be held in Mill Valley beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Old Mill School on Throckmorton Avenue; it will travel to the Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto where there will be an after party from noon to 5 p.m. The event is free. The Mill Valley Chapter of Eastern Star will be accepting items for care packages to be sent to troops overseas at its Bake Sale table from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Monday across from City Hall. Volunteers also will be selling helium-filled balloons, pin wheels and American flags along with baked goods.

Also in Mill Valley, the Mill Valley Carnival will be held from Friday through Monday at the Mill Valley Middle School, 425 Sycamore Ave. It will feature 16 rides, games and food. One-day ride discount bracelets for $20 are on sale at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto from 3 to 5 p.m. and at the Kiddo office, 409 Sycamore Ave. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Save $10 by buying in advance.

 The American Legion Post 179 and Women's Auxiliary will host a free community barbecue from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Dugout Bar, also known as the Log Cabin, 120 Veterans Place in San Anselmo. The event is open to the public. The American Legion is also conducting a fundraising campaign to pay for structural repairs to the 78-year-old Log Cabin. For more information about the barbecue or the fundraising effort, call 456-0834.

 The annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen's Barbecue will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Muir Beach picnic grounds on Muir Woods Road. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. For a minimum donation of $20 per car, festival-goers get a parking spot and $10 in coupons for meals, drinks or clothing. The event ends with a raffle of more than 100 prizes.

 The Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise will host its annual American Crown Circus Friday through Monday at the St. Vincent's School for Boys between Novato and San Rafael, 457 St. Vincent Drive. Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday; 1:30, 4 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 1:30 and 4 p.m. Monday. The circus supports the club's local projects. The cost is $12 for adults at the door; two children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. Parking is $5.

 The Marin Greek Festival will be held Friday through Sunday at the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Christian Church at 1110 Highland Drive in Novato. Greek food, music, dancing, cooking demonstrations, kids' activities, church tours, Byzantine chanting and folk dance lessons and performances will be featured. Admission is free from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; admission is $6 on Saturday and Sunday when the event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. A portion of proceeds benefit Homeward Bound of Marin. For more information, call 883-1998 or go to www.nativityofchrist.org/festival.

 Sunday marks Larkspur's annual Flower and Food Festival, and its Marin salsa tasting competition is back. The competition will feature local chefs. Costs is $1 to be part of the tasting; entrance is free. The salsa tasting is from 2 and 4 p.m.; the festival with floral bouquets, gourmet food samples and flower-related arts and crafts is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Magnolia Avenue between Ward and King streets in downtown Larkspur. Call 924-3803 or go to www.teamproevent.com.

 The Caledonia Street Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in Sausalito.

The festival celebrates the character, history and importance of Caledonia Street as well as the Sausalito community. This year's festival will welcome the America's Cup to the Bay Area. The festival will include art booths, live entertainment and a children's area with bounce houses and games. Four bands will be featured.

 The Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station will hold a 38th annual Silent Auction and Blues, Brews and Oysters concert from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's concert will feature Quinn De Veaux and the Blue Beat Review; tickets are $20. Sunday's free concert features the Soul Delights. Visit www.dancepalace.org for tickets.